Electric snap switch



Nov. 25, 1.930T F, A, YOUNG ET AL 1,782,836

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed Nov. 27, 1928 W2@ swam Patented i Nov. 25,1930 UNITED srATEs 1 ATIz1Sr1fA OFFICE FRANK A. vOiINa 'AND RAYMOND H,BOARDMAN, or MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, As-

sIeNORs, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To CONNECTICUT TELEPHONE a ELECTRICELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH CORPORATION, or MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATIONOF DELAWARE.

Application `filed November 27, 1928. Serial No. 322,135.'

Our invention relates particularly to switches having a ratchet action0f therotary type andit .is especially designed for use in circuitswhere it is required to' carry' 110 VOlts.

The main obj ect is to provide a simple inexpensive but reliablemechanism which can be readily mounted in the panel board of a radio setor the like. l

` In carrying out the invention we provide a housing having a sleeveadapted to be supported in the panel board. The stationary contacts aresupported in an insulating disc in the rear of the housing and therotary switch member and ratchet mechanism are mounted i on a shaft orspindle which is supported atthe fao rear end in the disc and at thefront n the sleeve of the housing. o

' Fig. 1 is a side view of a device embodying `our invention showing itsupported'v in a v panel board.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the device. Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectionalview of the device on a larger lScale. i

s Fig. 4 is a front view of the'insulating disc hich supports thestationary contacts.

Fig. y5 is a perspective view showing onel of the stationary contactsand its terminal stri r Fligf is a detail view of the conducting part ofthe rotary switch member. Y

ig. 7 is a side view and partial section of an insulating collar formingpart of the rota switch member. y,

lliYig. 8 is a detail view of the metal part of the ratchet member. YFig. 9 is a detail view 0f an insulating washery forming part of theratchet ember. Fi 10 is a side view of the main s aftor spin le. Y

y The sleeve 11 which serves, as the main support is adapted to bemounted in a panel board orother support 12 to whlch 1t may be securedby' clamp nuts 13. i The shaft 14 may be of metal and extends lthroughthe sleeve 11c in which it is rotatable. The shell 15 of' the housingis/"secured f. to the sleeve of theV housing in any-suitable manner.

`The disc 16 may be formed of insulatmg 'the rear to hold the washer 19material to fit the rear end of the shell 15.l The end 17 of the shaftis reduced in diameter and extends through the disc16 and is" rivetedover the Washer 18. A fibre washer y segments 23 and 24 arranged inpairs. i Thev stationay contacts 25 are inclined similarly and providedwith terminal strips 26 which extend through passages 27 in the disc 16.

Lugs 28 .are partially cut from' the sides of these strips 'and bentover as shown in Figs.-

2 and 3 to hold the terminal strips and their contacts in place.` l 1, il

The rotary switch member has a ring 29 with inclined spring'arms 30adapted to be d rotated" over the -surface of the inclines 24 and thecontacts 25 in one direction. This member 29 is'also provided Withratchet teeth 31 ,inclined .int'the opposite direction to the directionof inclination of the arms 30. The` coact with the teeth 31. It also hasears 37 adapted to bel/bent over intothe notches 39 in the edges of thewasher 35. The washer has a central opening 38 adapted to receive theshaft 14. The .spring 4001i the shaft 14 presses vat one end againsttlie U-shaped washer 41 and at the other against the ratchet member 35.The U-shaped or forked washer 41 is slipped into a groove 42 in theshaft and may serve as a bearing 'for the shaft in the recess 43 in thesleeve. The switch is operated by rotating the shaft 14 by any suitablemeans. Y

When-the 'shaft is rotated in a right hand direction the rotary switchmember is rol ing a double make land break with a snap" tated throughthe instrumentality of the washer and ratchet member 34, the teeth 36engaging` the backs of the teeth 31. The switch may thus be rotated stepby step as-the arms `snap from the inclines 24 on to the inclinedcontacts 25 and off again, thus affordaction. In case `the switch knobor lever is rotated backward, that is, in a left hand direction, theratchet teeth 36 Will ride up the" inclined teeth 3l without effectingthe switch or injuring any of the parts.

We claim:

1. A snap switch comprising a supporting sleeve, a housing carriedthereby, an insulating disc closing the rear end of said housingcontacts carried by said disc, an operating shaft rotatably supported atthe rear in said disc and near the front supported in said sleeve, arotatable switch member mounted on said shaft but insulated therefromand a spring pressed ratchet member insulated from said shaft andco-acting with said switch member.

2. A snap switch comprising a supporting sleeve, a housing ca ,rriedthereby, a molded insulating disc closlng the rear end of said housingcontacts carried by said disc, an operating shaftl rotatably supportedin said disc, a fibre disc covering the rear end of said shaft, arotatable switch member mounted on said shaft but insulated therefromand a switch member A havin gears bent over at the spring pressedratchet member insulated from said shaft ande co-acting [with saidswitchmember.

3, A snap switch comprisin a supporting sleeve, a housing carried thereing disc closing the rear end of said housing, said housing and dischaving interfitting parts to prevent relative rotation, contacts carriedby said disc, an operating shaft rotatably supported at therear insaiddisc, a

`rotatable switch member mounted on said 1 shaft but insulated therefromand -a ratchet lmember insulated from said shaft and co- .acting withsaid switch member.

f4. A snap switch comprising an insulating "disc having ratchet teeth atthe front, contact segments on two op ositely 'dis osed 4teeth havingconducting strips inte al t erewithextending rearwardly throug said discfor circuit connections in the rear,.a shaft rotatably supported by thedisc and a ratchet operated swltclr member Vcarried by :said

shaft and coacting with said contact se'gments and ratchet teeth 5. Asnap switch comprising an insulating disc having ratchet teeth in thefront, contact,

segments on two 'oppo'sitely disposed teeth Ahavin conducting stri sintegral, therewith exten lli ng rearwardly t rough lsaid disc forcircuit connectlons 1n the rear, said strips a shaft. rotatablysupported b y the disc and a carried by sud shaft and coan' insulatrearof said disc,

acting with said contact Vsegments and ratchet teeth. x

6. A snap switch comprising an insulatingdisc having inclined segmentsat the front,

- contact segments on two oppositely disposed inclined segments havingconducting strips integral therewith extending through said disc forcircuit connections, a shaft rotatably .supported by the disc, at therear a ratchet operated switch 'member carried by said shaft andcoacting withsaid contact segments and ratchet teeth, a spring and anabutment washer on said shaft, and a housing for said parts including asupporting sleeve, said washer being located in said sleeve.

7. A snap switch comprising a disc having a number of pairs of inclinedratchet teeth at least two of said teeth being formed of conductingmaterial to constitute stationv v-switch member and a spring mounted onsaid shaft and pressing said ratchet member towards said switch member.n.

FRANK A. YOUNG,

RAYMOND H. BOARDMAN.

